New technology due in Aerfugl development

Aker BP plans to use two new technologies in development of Aerfugl gas and condensate field in the Norwegian Sea, reports partner PGNiG Upstream Norway.

The Polish Oil & Gas Co. subsidiary says the subsea wells will use the world’s first 7-in. vertical trees in anticipation of high flow rates.

The other innovation will be electrical trace and heating of pipe-in-pipe to prevent gas hydration during transport of produced fluids to the floating production, storage, and offloading vessel on Skarv field as far as 21 km away.

Total recovery from two development phases is estimated at 274.7 million boe of gas and condensate. Total production in the peak year is estimated at 500 million cu m.

Pay is Cretaceous Lysing sandstone encountered at about 2,800 m. Water depths are 350-450 m. BP Amoco Norge drilled the discovery well in 2000.

Production from three wells in the first phase, which is 40% complete, is to start in November 2020. The first of three wells planned for the second phase is to start earlier, in June 2020, through use of existing infrastructure.

The other two wells planned for the second phase are expected to start production in September 2021. PGNiG says the second phase is in a “define phase” aimed at beginning execution in November.

In addition to the six development wells, a test well has been on production since 2013.

Interests are Equinor, 36.165%; Wintershall DEA, 28.0825%; Aker BP, 23.835%; and PGNiG, 11.9175%.